Script Unfolding As Predicted? Former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan Reportedly Involved in Drafting Congress Manifesto

Former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan has authored a detailed report on the state of employment in India which is to be included as part of the Congress vision document ahead of the elections, reports Navbharat Times.

Although the report claims it is still unclear if Rajan will either make a direct or indirect entry into politics via the Congress, his report will likely form a central plank of the Congress Manifesto which will seek to target the Modi government over the employment situation in the country.

Rajan is known for his frequent disagreements with the Centre on issues of economic policy during his tenure and has also criticised the government over demonetisation.

His Critics have pointed out his strategic silence over the economic policies of previous UPA government while packing a punch when it comes to criticising economic policies of the Modi government.

Earlier last month, Union Minister for Railways Piyush Goyal hinted that Rajan was seeking a political career. Referring to Rajan, he said, “this gentleman was looking at political career which he should announce quickly”.

Despite Rajan’s relentless salvos at this government, senior leaders including the Prime Minister, have had nothing but decent things to say about him. Modi had chided personal attacks on Rajan as “inappropriate” and strongly objected to his own party MP Subramanian Swamy questioning Rajan's patriotism.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley too has had only charitable things to say about Rajan when he quit but he has not shied away from taking on Rajan in the recent past albeit in a politically correct way.

According to veteran Congress leader Sam Pitroda, party President Rahul Gandhi will be addressing town hall meetings across the country to discuss the employment issue. He explained that employment will constitute the biggest issue on which the Congress party will conduct its campaign against the ruling BJP.

The Congress manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections is being framed by a committee consisting of leaders such as former finance minister P Chidambaram, Kerala MP Shashi Tharoor, and Pitroda.